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National Parks from A to Z

There are 57 national parks spread across 27 states in the U.S. Yellowstone was the first national park. President Ulysses S. Grant signed the law in 1872. Check out all the others in the following gallery.

Acadia National Park - Maine - Thanks to the wealthy businessmen of the late 19th century who used the park as a private playground, the islands of Acadia have been preserved for the masses in a pristine state.

Arches National Park - Utah - Mother Nature has formed amazing rock formations set against the beautiful backdrop of eastern Utah.

Badlands National Park - South Dakota - The Badlands have been described as a work of art still in progress. The spires and pinnacles in the park resemble medieval castles.

Big Bend National Park - Texas - The park earns its name from the sharp bend in the Rio Grande River. Geologic wonders, unique wildlife and plenty of room for hikers and campers can be found in Big Bend.

Biscayne National Park - Florida - The park is dominated by water, making it a paradise for birds, marine life, fishermen, divers and snorkelers.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park - Colorado - The Black Canyon is a narrow gorge that stretches 53 miles. Walls along the gorge are as high as 2,700 feet.

Bryce Canyon National Park - Utah - The beautiful rock formations in the park have been described by some as something Dr. Seuss would create.

Canyonlands National Park - Utah - The Colorado and Green Rivers carve the high desert into a labyrinth of red-rock canyons in the southern reaches of Utah.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park - New Mexico - Hundreds of caves have been identified in southeastern New Mexico and Eastern Texas. The Carlsbad Caverns have one of the largest and most magnificent underground formations in the world.

Channel Islands National Park - California - Sometimes referred to the American Galapagos, thes islands, off the coast of California, have more than 2,000 diverse species of plants and animals.

Conagree National Park - South Carolina - This 27,000 acre park is an ancient marshland and is one of the most ecologically diverse landscapes in the eastern United States.

Crater Lake National Park - Oregon - Over 500,000 people come to the park each year to see the deepest lake in the U.S. It was created when a volcano erupted 7,700 years ago.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park - Ohio - This historic park is an oasis of forests, hills, wetlands and canals. In fact, the Ohio & Erie Canal is a big part of the park's history.

Death Valley National Park - California - Death Valley is a park of extremes. Its highest point is 11,049 feet above sea level, while its lowest point is 282 feet below sea level, the lowest point in the U.S.

Denali National Park - Alaska - This majestic park has 6 million acres of wilderness. That's bigger than the state of Massachusetts.

Dry Tortugas National Park - Florida - This small chain of islands west of Key West were named by Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon for their lack of fresh water and abundance of tortoises. The islands are also thought to be a hangout for pirates.

Everglades National Park - Florida - The Everglades are unique in American vistas. The 1.5 million acres of marshland and mangrove forests are home to a variety of endangered and exotic species.

Gates of the Arctic National Park - Alaska - Two peaks, Frigid Crags and Boreal Mountain, are the gates the park's name refers to. They are the entrance to the arctic regions to the north.

Glacier National Park - Montana - The park features unparalleled scenery and incredible wildlife. Lewis and Clark passed through the park during their expedition.

Glacier Bay National Park - Alaska - The park's bay was created by a mile-thick glacier, leaving behind 65-mile stretch of pristine water and amazing landscape.

Grand Canyon National Park - Arizona - You can't get much grander than the Grand Canyon, which has been deemed the Eighth Wonder of the World.

Grand Teton National Park - Wyoming - the Grand Tetons are considered the country's quintessential mountain range. The extreme terrain attracts back country hikers and mountain climbers from around the world.

Great Basin National Park - Nevada - The park represents the contrasts of western mountain ranges. It includes desert basins to glacers in the nearby mountains.

Great Sand Dunes National Park - Colorado - This giant sandbox in Colorado. Located at the base of the Sangre de Cristo mountains, the dunes rise as high as 700 feet.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park - North Carolina/Tennesee - The park is the most-visited of the national parks with 9 million visitors each year. It includes 800 miles of trails for hikers in the Appalachian Highlands.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park - Texas - This west Texas park's landmark is the 8,085-foot peak known as El Capitan.

Haleakal? National Park - Hawaii - This volcanic park on the island of Maui has an incredibly diverse terrain. Starting at sea level, the park rises to over 10.000 feet where you'll find a huge volcanic valley.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park - Hawaii - This park is located on the big island and includes amazing trails that take you to the top of the earth's most active volcano, Kilauea.

Hot Springs National Park - Arkansas - An average of 850,000 gallons a day gush out of the side of Hot Springs Mountain in Arkansas.

Isle Royale National Park - Michigan - The largest island on Lake Superior, this park is a site of isolation and wilderness. It has many shipwrecks, waterways and hiking trails.

Joshua Tree National Park - California - This southern California park in the desert attracts rock climbers in the winter time when it gets too icy and cold in the mountains.

Katmai National Park - Alaska - This park is an outdoor adventurer's utopia. Kayakers, fishermen, nature photographers and back country hikers are drawn to this raw wilderness.

Kenai Fjords National Park - Alaska - These fjords along the Alaska coast are a mile deep. Whale watchers will love this natural paradise.

King's Canyon National Park - California - This park is home to several giant sequoia groves and the General Grant tree, the world's largest.

Kobuk Valley National Park - Alaska - You can't get anymore off the beaten path than this park. Located 26 miles above the arctic circle, the only way to get to the park is by plane.

Lake Clark National Park - Alaska - This park is another place in Alaska that you can only reach by small plane. It gives true meaning to the phrase "last frontier."

Lassen Volcanic National Park - California - This park in northern California give visitors a chance to explore the surface of an active volcano. Seismologists say they can give plenty of warning should the volcano start acting up.

Mammoth Cave National Park - Kentucky - With 365 miles explored, Mammoth Cave is known as the longest cave in the world. Exploration in the cave continues today.

Mesa Verde National Park - Colorado - The cliff dwellings are around 14 centuries old and are a portal to human history.

Mount Rainier National Park - Washington - Mount Rainier is an amazing sight to behold as it towers 8,000 feet above the surrounding peaks of the Cascade Mountains.

North Cascades National Park - Washington - This park has the largest and most-rugged alpine wilderness in the contiguous United States.

Olympic National Park - Washington - The diversity of this park includes glaciered mountains, lush rainforest and a rugged coastline.

Petrified Forest National Park - Arizona - This park is the home of the largest tract of petrified wood in the U.S. It's located in the Four Corners area of Arizona.

Pinnacles National Park - California - The pinnacles that the park is named for are the remnants of an extinct volcano. The rock formations are perfect for climbers.

Redwoods National Park - California - Walking into this park is like entering a cathedral. The towering redwoods create and environment that's unmatched in the world.

Rocky Mountain National Park - Colorado - You could call this park a national icon. One third of the park in above tree line and spectacular views.

Saguaro National Park - Arizona - Ask a child to draw a cactus, and these giants of the southwestern desert is what you'll get.

Sequoia National Park - California - This park in the southern Sierras is home to these giant trees. It's also home to Mt. Whitney, the highest peak in the continental U.S.

Shenandoah National Park - Virginia - The Blue Ridge Mountains included this park with more than 500 miles of hiking trails.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park - North Dakota - Teddy Roosevelt first came to the badlands of North Dakota in 1883. The scenic area now bears the former president's name.

Voyageurs National Park - Minnesota - Named for the legendary French fur traders, this park has no roads. The best way to get around is by canoe.

Wind Cave National Park - South Dakota - Located in the Black Hills area of South Dakota, this park has an incredible cave system, but also has beautiful above the caves.

Wrangell - St. Elias National Park - Alaska - At 13.2 million acres, this is the largest U.S. national park. It provides vital refuge for grizzly bears, caribou and Dall sheep.

Yellowstone National Park - Wyoming - Yellowstone is the oldest park in the national park system. It's said that one third of the American population will visit the park sometime in their lifetime.

Yosemite National Park - California - The amazing vistas in this park include 1,000-foot waterfalls and monumental rock spires like nothing else you will see.

Zion National Park - Utah - This geologically unique park includes sandstone canyons, high plateaus, rock towers and natural arches that have created an unusual ecosystem.

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